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codefro
Guest
- Is lying a mortal sin. From what I understand mortal sins involve grave matters, which lying is not a grave matter.
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Oneofthewomen
Guest
Lying could indeed constitute “grave matter”.
In cases of not remembering exact numbers- many times, daily, weekly, monthly, could all suffice.
Best thing…
bring these questions to the priest you are confessing to.
In cases of not remembering exact numbers- many times, daily, weekly, monthly, could all suffice.
Best thing…
bring these questions to the priest you are confessing to.
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codefro
Guest
Could, yes. Although the scenario I am thinking of with lying is not grave imo. But maybe some explanation would help?
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quilisma
Guest
It depends on whether the lie was about something important or not. “I didn’t eat the cookies” would most likely be venial; telling a prospective buyer that a house you’re trying to sell is structurally sound when you know the foundation is dangerously compromised, would be grave.
Of course there are many gradations in between, though… When in doubt, I’d say confess it. That way you KNOW it’s forgiven.
Of course there are many gradations in between, though… When in doubt, I’d say confess it. That way you KNOW it’s forgiven.
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codefro
Guest
Well, I am not ashamed to admit it, and I am curious so basically I typically return products to Amazon if I do not really want to keep the items. I noticed if you say “I no longer want” they charge you the shipping to return. Then I noticed if you tell them “Not as described on website” then THEY pay for the return shipping. So I just started returning items I didn’t want that way. I did it recently and all of the sudden I felt convicted by it. I have no problem bringing it to confession, but I didn’t think it was in the realm of mortal (abstaining from eucharist until it is confessed).
Also, anyone have advice for my #2 question above?
Also, anyone have advice for my #2 question above?
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LilyM
Guest
Well yeah.
Something like perjury (lying when you are sworn to tell the truth) is indeed grave matter - it is one of the worst possible breaches of the commandment against false witness.
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Edmundus1581
Guest
Edit: Three replies came in while I was typing this. Apologies if I’ve repeated anything. I see that “perjury” has already been mentioned as an example of grave matter.>>
We are not required to confess the number for venial sins. Mention the number of times if it is helpful to you, or don’t, if it’s only complicating matters. eg. “I have been envious of my brother’s new car” is better than “I have been… twelve times”
The gravity depends entirely on the amount of damage done (or intended, or possible). If I break a vase, and then say “I didn’t do it - the cat knocked it off” then that would a venial sin, but if I say “I saw Dave push it off”, then the matter is more grave. Committing perjury in court is an example of a lie which is usually a mortal sin, especially if it convicts the innocent.
The number is only required for mortal sins. eg. “I deliberately missed Sunday Mass five times”. In this case, the number would be required. “I missed Sunday Mass”, when I meant five times, would be a poor confession, and and invalid confession if I intended to deceive. If we don’t know the number of times, eg. I blaspheme deliberately many times a day, then “I blaspheme many times a day” will do. So long as you give the name, and an indication of the number of times (eg. “three”, “many”, “daily”, etc…) then your priest knows whether to ask you to be more specific. If he doesn’t, then your confession is finished.
We are not required to confess the number for venial sins. Mention the number of times if it is helpful to you, or don’t, if it’s only complicating matters. eg. “I have been envious of my brother’s new car” is better than “I have been… twelve times”
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codefro
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I recently was recieved into the Catholic Church this last Easter. I guess right now I am just not sure what falls under grave sins where I would need to abstain from going to communion until confession. I don’t want to violate the Eucharist so it is somewhat confusing to me.
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bmullins
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Mortal sin is not something you do on accident. If you think you have done it, then simply make an appointment for confession or find out your confession times and go. Our Parish priest has confession open every Saturday before the mass that evening. He also will make appointments for other times if there is a need. If you are worried, then go confess. It can’t hurt to confess it.
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Edmundus1581
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Welcome!
Your priest understands these things well, and is used to answering such questions in confession. You will find that once you’ve asked him a few times, it will become clear quite quickly. Don’t feel shy or silly for asking.
I was received into the Church 30 years ago, and most of my questions about confession were answered quite quickly, but, from time to time I still have a question, and the priest is always happy to answer it.
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Lancer
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In_Training
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There’s all different kinds of lying…I used to lie all the time to get out of trouble (don’t anymore) but that really only affected me. I think it’s different when you lie on purpose to try to sell someone something you know is defective or tell someone you’re not married when you are, etc. Not that some lies are worse than others morally, but some do a little damage and some do a lot, and sometimes you didn’t mean for it to be that big of a deal.
I was kind of leading 2 lives at one time, years ago, was going to church in middle school even though I wanted nothing to do with God (at that time). I was angry with Him, blasphemed a lot, and still went to church with my class and took communion. Not really “lying,” just very dishonest in general. But I don’t know how others would perceive this…mortal sin or just another moral dilemma that possibly was handled wrong? I don’t even know what someone in that position should have done differently.
I was kind of leading 2 lives at one time, years ago, was going to church in middle school even though I wanted nothing to do with God (at that time). I was angry with Him, blasphemed a lot, and still went to church with my class and took communion. Not really “lying,” just very dishonest in general. But I don’t know how others would perceive this…mortal sin or just another moral dilemma that possibly was handled wrong? I don’t even know what someone in that position should have done differently.
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JRKH
Guest
“Lying” is a very broad term. However - it is not accurate to say that “lying is not a grave matter” From the Catechism:
1858 Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: "Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother."132 The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.
The Catechism goes devotes an entire section then to the eighth commandment which lying falls under. Again - From the Catechism:
2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man’s relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.
2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.
Then - besides the specifics of the matter involved, there are two other components of mortal sin - Knowledge of the sinful nature of the matter, and free consent of the will to commit the act (or pursue the sinful thought).
The person who, with sufficient forethought and intent, knowingly commits a sin, this knowledge increases the gravity of the sin for it acts in direct and obstinate opposition to God.
Just say “many times”
Peace
James
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TheRealJuliane
Guest
Don’t order stuff you aren’t planning to keep. If it’s defective in some way, you can return it. Otherwise, you shouldn’t return it under false premises. If you just don’t want it, then yes, you should pay the return shipping. Think if everyone did this, Amazon would go out of business.
I don’t believe this is a mortal sin, but please take these concerns into the confessional and just ask the priest. He’s there for instruction as well as absolution. Remember, if you are going to confess the sin, you have to be willing to stop committing it, or it’s not absolvable.
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